In a major leap forward for DNA technology, researchers from BGI, MGI Tech, and international collaborators have developed a roll-to-roll fluidics (r2r-fl) platform that drastically reduces the cost, time, and reagent consumption associated with next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS).
This new system—based on plane Couette flow rather than traditional pressure-driven flow cells—enables sequencing of a human genome for less than $15, with turnaround times under 12 hours, without compromising accuracy or scalability.
How It Works
Traditional flow cells suffer from inefficient Poiseuille flow, requiring high pressures and large volumes of expensive reagents. The r2r-fl platform uses a moving PET belt to create a uniform shear flow, applying sequencing reagents over a stationary biochip.
Key Innovations:
- Reagent replacement in 2 seconds (vs. 40+ sec in flow cells)
- 85-fold reduction in reagent consumption
- Supports biochip areas from 1 cm² to over 1 m²
- Maintains >99.9% base-calling accuracy for SNPs and INDELs
- Supports flexible sequencing—from pathogens (like SARS-CoV-2) to full human genomes
Data Highlights
| Feature | Flow Cell | r2r-fl Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Reagent cost per Gb | $2.00 | $0.16 |
| Turnaround time (PE100) | 24–48 hours | <12 hours |
| Max reads per run | 52B (NovaSeq X) | 46B on 15×15 cm² chip |
| Mapping rate (Human genome) | 99.9% | 99.9% |
| SNP precision/sensitivity | ~99% | 99.9% / 99.3% |
| Applicable to viruses | Yes | Yes (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) |
Why It Matters
This new approach breaks free from the physical and economic constraints of flow cells. It’s ideal for:
- Clinical diagnostics (faster results with fewer samples)
- Pathogen detection (like emerging COVID-19 variants)
- Cancer genomics
- Precision medicine in developing countries
Applications and Impact
- Point-of-care diagnostics with small, portable sequencers
- Low-cost genome analysis for population-scale studies
- Real-time outbreak monitoring (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, E. coli)
- Environmental DNA analysis and synthetic biology
Reference
Qin, Y., Koehler, S.A., Ling, Y. et al. Fast, cost-effective and flexible DNA sequencing by roll-to-roll fluidics. Nat Methods (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-025-02730-2
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